The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) has funded more than 60 companies to date. Below is a list of our current portfolio companies organized by topic call.
In August 2020, SVIP released the Emerging Needs: COVID-19 Response & Future Mitigation solicitation to call upon the startup community to develop cutting-edge solutions to address multiple near-term use cases in response to the pandemic and to prepare DHS for future mitigation.
- Robust and open source application testing ecosystem to rigorously test and evaluate contact tracing applications to ensure data security
- Video analytics for self-screening TSA checkpoints to monitor social distancing of passengers and TSA officers, ensure the security process progresses smoothly, and detect deviant behavior
- Products, technologies, or methods that enable automatic and rapid surface disinfecting at TSA checkpoints and other DHS facilities
- Tools to help monitor, collect, integrate, and deconflict quantitative open source information from both authoritative (e.g., state and local health departments) and non-authoritative sources
- Enhanced screening procedures and methods that protect individual privacy to provide robust point of entry screening as employees and visitors enter a DHS building or campus
Awarded Companies: Appcensus, Bloodstone Division, Deep North, Lauretta AI, Mesur.IO, EnSenSys.
The Energy Harvesting Fabrics topic call was released in May 2017. The topic call sought out non-traditional power sources to power the various equipment used by first responders without adding to their current weight burden. Specifically, S&T was looking for innovative energy-harvesting smart fabric technology for integration into its Next-Generation First Responder Program.
Awarded Companies: Protect the Force
There are currently no active projects under this topic call.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Global Travel Assessment System (GTAS) is an open source project that provides foreign nation-states and border security entities the capacity to collect, process, query, and construct risk criteria against standardized air traveler information. In June 2016, in partnership with SVIP, S&T and CBP released this topic to seek out novel approaches and software improvements to advance the GTAS project, particularly solutions to enhance the project’s existing core features in the areas of Visualization, Predictive Models, and Entity Resolution.
Awarded Companies: DataRobot, Omniscience, Skymind, Tamr
There are currently no active projects under this topic call.
Every day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers process more than one million international travelers across 328 ports of entry, some of which are in remote locations. The Enhancing CBP Airport Passenger Processing topic call, released in July 2017, sought novel approaches to improve CBP operations and the international arrivals process.
Awarded Companies: iProov, Kiana Analytics
There are currently no active projects under this topic call.
In November 2016, SVIP released the Financial Services Cyber Security Active Defense Technologies solicitation, which sought solutions to cybersecurity threats challenging the nation’s financial institutions.
Awarded Companies: Cyber 20/20, Def-Logix Inc., Heilig Defense, Intafel, Morphisec, NexiTech, StackRox, Veramine
There are currently no active projects under this topic call.
In March 2022, SVIP released the Flood and Data Collection topic call to seek out novel solutions to provide real-time flood data sources and data analysis in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Such solutions could enable FEMA to pre-position resources, identify potential claimants, and improve the accuracy of predictions for a flood event, as well as allow FEMA to understand the source, depth, and extent of flood waters and provide insight into when they have receded.
Awarded Companies: FloodMapp, Floodbase, Synthetik Insurance Analytics
Learn more about the Flood Data Collection and Analysis projects.
In October 2017, the High Fidelity Counting and Measuring of CBP Queues and Service Times at Ports of Entry topic call was released to enhance Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) counting and measuring capabilities in airport security and customs processing queues. Counting and measuring are the processes by which CBP analyzes the flow of travelers through the customs process. High fidelity analysis of this information ensures the timely processing of international travelers and enables the prevention of queue bottlenecks.
Awarded Companies: Crowdvision, Kiana Analytics, Kickview, Quanergy
There are currently no active projects under this topic call.
The Human Performance and Resiliency topic call, released in October 2021, was designed to leverage advancements in the wearable health technology marketplace to address various aspects of DHS employee health and wellness. SVIP worked closely with CBP and other operating components to draft technical topic areas focused on wearable devices, AI-enabled mobile apps for data collection and analysis, and sleep and recovery solutions. The goal of the project is to augment existing employee assistance and wellness programs with specific technologies that can impact active monitoring of personnel in extreme environments, and provide for long-term tracking, physical fitness, recovery, and mental health coping solutions.
Awarded Companies: Kenzen, Sana Health, VigiLife, Volt Athletics, SlateSafety.
Learn more about the Human Performance and Resiliency projects.
In May 2017, SVIP released the Identity and Anti-spoofing of Non-person Entities topic call to seek out solutions to prevent spoofing of non-person entities (NPEs). NPEs are digital entities that can take actions in cyberspace but are not people (sensor platforms and the smart devices that make up the internet of things are common examples of NPEs) and can involve unfriendly actors pretending to be smart devices to launch attacks, access and steal user information, spread malware, or bypass security.
Awarded Companies: Plurilock
There are currently no active projects under this topic call.
Released in December 2015, the IoT Security topic call solicited startups for novel ideas and technologies to improve situational awareness and security to detect, authenticate, and update IoT components and systems.
Awarded Companies: Bastille, Factom, Ionic, M2MI, Pulzze, QED Secure Solutions, WhiteScope
There are currently no active projects under this topic call.
The SVIP K9 Wearable Technologies solicitation, released in June 2016, aimed to use personalized, real-time data gathered from canines via wearable devices. DHS intends to evaluate this data to derive new insights that could improve animal health and performance. The project comprised technical topic areas to include Recording and Transmitting Canine Vital Signs; Receiving, Storing and Analyzing Vital Sign Data; and Maintaining and Updating Canine Sensor Components.
Awarded Companies: HaloLights, PetPace
There are currently no active projects under this topic call.
Released in March 2020, SVIP sought out language translation technology to enable rapid and effective communication in real time with non-English speakers and those who are unable to communicate verbally with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) or Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. Accurate and swift translation of questions, orders, and directions are critical to the safety and security of the teams working in the field. Off-line capability is necessary because many of these interactions occur where translation devices are required are far out at sea, in extreme environmental conditions or in locations without cell service or internet connections.
Awarded Companies: Kynamics, TranslateLive, myLanguage
SVIP released the Maritime Object Tracking Technology solicitation in March 2020 to support the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) need for a more reliable system for clearly marking and accurately monitoring objects in the water for recovery. This topic call directly supports the USCG mission to ensure the nation’s maritime safety, security, and stewardship.
Awarded Companies: Kenautics, Morcom
Learn more about the Maritime Object Tracking Technology projects.
Released in April 2018, the Object Recognition and Adaptive Algorithms in Passenger Property Screening solicitation sought proposals from startups on the use of adaptive image interpretation and object recognition to enhance the Transportation Security Administration’s ability to scan objects, materials, and other aspects of passenger property.
Awarded Companies: Analytical AI, Cignal, Kraenion Labs, Synapse, Synthetik Applied Technologies
In December 2018, SVIP released the initial Preventing Forgery and Counterfeiting of Certificates and Licenses topic call—with a follow-on release in June 2020. Through blockchain and distributed ledger technology solutions, DHS seeks to address the challenges of interoperable digital entitlement attestations that support individual control and accountability of data release.
These solicitations sought startup companies with solutions that can apply decentralized identifiers and resilient registries to the issuance and verification of identifiers and credentials to enhance security while employing privacy respecting mechanisms that implement standards-based, multi-platform interoperability.
Awarded Companies: Danube Technologies, Digital Bazaar, Factom, Learning Machine Technologies, MATTR, Mesur.io, Neoflow, GenDigital (formerly known as SecureKey), SICPA, Spherity, Stranger Labs, TransMute
Learn more about the Preventing Forgery and Counterfeiting of Certificates and Licenses Projects.
Please visit S&T’s Blockchain Portfolio page to learn more about this topic call.
Released in June 2023, the Privacy Preserving Digital Credential Wallets & Verifiers topic call sought cutting-edge solutions that can support the needs of a privacy preserving digital credentialing ecosystem and ensure that that ecosystem is accessible, open, competitive, diverse, and vibrant. To serve the mission needs of DHS Operational Components and Offices including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and DHS Privacy Office (PRIV).
Awarded Companies: Credence ID, Hushmesh, Netis d.o.o., Procivis, SpruceID, Ubiqu
Learn more about the Privacy Preserving Digital Credential Wallets & Verifiers projects.
Released in October 2017, the Real-time Intelligent Traveler Wayfinding topic call sought to augment U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) capabilities through enhancing navigational resources available to international travelers.
Awarded Companies: Arup USA, LocusLabs
There are currently no active projects under this topic call.
In February 2022, SVIP released the Securing Soft Targets (SST) topic call seeking innovative technological solutions that will improve overall soft target security. Soft targets are locations that are easily accessible to large numbers of people and that have limited security or protective measures in place, making them vulnerable to attack. The SST topic call solutions will 1) Automatically detect anomalous events via video camera feeds; 2) Reduce error and tedium to optimize human performance; or 3) Minimize delay to enhance responsiveness in threat situations.
Awarded Companies: Flux Tensor, Lauretta AI, Analytical AI
Released in July 2016, the Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Capabilities topic call sought to enhance U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) sUAS security. CBP’s use of sUAS enhances mission capabilities and supports CBP agent activities, including greater overall situational awareness and detection, tracking, apprehension, and search and rescue operations.
Awarded Companies: Asymmetric Technologies, Cryptomove, Echodyne, Goleta Star, Intelleuron, Planck Aerosystems [acquired by: AeroVironment], Shield AI
There are currently no active projects under this topic call.
Released in May 2022, SVIP, in partnership with the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), sought technologies that will enable stakeholder visibility into software supply chains and new risk assessment capabilities. Successful solutions will improve the transparency of the software supply chain as a key component to help ensure the security of critical infrastructure systems. This topic call will help secure the software that individuals and organizations rely upon for essential services, including communications, finance, transportation, and energy.
Awarded Companies: AppCensus, ChainGuard, DeepBits, Manifest Cyber, Scribe Security, TestifySec, Veramine
Learn more about the Software Supply Chain Visibility Tools Projects
Released in December 2023, SVIP, in partnership with the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the DHS Privacy Office (PRIV), the Synthetic Data Generator topic call sought innovative technology solutions that can synthetically generate data that models and replicates the shape and patterns of real data while mitigating privacy and security harms. This topic call addressed a critical need for DHS capabilities that support collaborative use of data and mitigates privacy and security risks inherent in the sharing of sensitive data.
In this section, you will find a list of topics with performers that have completed all four SVIP phases.
- Preventing Forgery and Counterfeiting of Certificates and Licenses: Mesur.io and Transmute
- Emerging Needs: COVID-19 Response & Future Mitigation: AppCensus
- Enhancing CBP Airport Passenger Processing: iProov and Kiana Analytics
- Enhancements to the Global Travel Assessment System: Tamr
- High Fidelity Counting and Measuring CBP Queues and Service Times at Ports of Entry: Kiana Analytics
- Internet of Things Security: Bastille, Factom, Ionic, and QED
- Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Capabilities: Planck Aerosystems [acquired by: AeroVironment], Asymmetric, CryptoMove, and Echodyne
- K-9 Wearable Technologies: HaloLights
- Object Recognition and Adaptive Algorithms in Passenger Property Screening: Synthetik Applied Technologies
In this section, you will find a list of portfolio companies that have been awarded Phase 5 contracts. SVIP awards Phase 5 if the government determines that further operational testing is required, and/or the technology is applicable in additional DHS use cases.
Bastille
Bastille was awarded Phase 5 to conduct additional functional and operational testing of its Fly-Away Kit, a portable version of their solution developed in Phases 1–4 of their IoT Security project.
Learn more about the Bastille Phase 5 project.
Echodyne
Echodyne was awarded Phase 5 to continue critical research and development on new radar systems using metamaterials to allow S&T and DHS to explore new use cases for the MESA radar in counter-unmanned aircraft systems scenarios.
Learn more about the Echodyne Phase 5 project.
IProov
iProov was awarded Phase 5 to further develop its Genuine Presence Assurance technology by enhancing the functionality of DHS apps to enable members of the Trusted Traveler schemes to rapidly and securely cross remote borders without requiring the direct engagement of a DHS Officer in person or online.
Learn more about the IProov Phase 5 project
Planck Aerosystems [acquired by: AeroVironment]
Planck Aerosystems [acquired by: AeroVironment] was awarded Phase 5 for S&T and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to acquire multiple small unmanned aircraft systems and Landing and Recovery System units for use by CBP operators in a variety of environments and scenarios.
Learn more about the Planck Aerosystems Phase 5 project.
Tamr
Tamr was awarded Phase 5 to address additional operational challenges within CBP's Office of Trade and Enterprise Services. Learn more about the Phase 5 project.
Learn more about the Tamr Phase 5 project.
Transmute Industries
Transmute Industries was awarded a Phase 5 to address additional interoperability testing on its decentralized identity solution to ensure that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has visibility into the provenance, traceability and regulatory compliance of steel imports and E-commerce.
Mesur.io
Mesur.io, Inc. was awarded a Phase 5 will extend the Earthstream™ platform, enhancing support for government, trade, and Public Government Agencies (PGA)s like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA), while also improving the capabilities for identifying forced labor issues in agriculture and manufacturing through Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), in collaboration with CBP.